Arts and business news from around the country.

Small towns across America are realizing the potential of the arts to reenergize economies, rebrand districts, and revitalize neighborhood infrastructure. El Dorado, Tulsa, Oak Park and San Carlos realize that the arts area business, and investing in their success spurs the local economy. Take a look at a few of the many arts and business partnerships initiated across the country, below.

El Dorado, AR

$100 Million designated for entertainment district spurring job creation and tourism

Downtown El Dorado suffered from zero to fifteen percent occupancy rates in certain blocks following the oil bust of the 1970’s. Scaling downtown development will turn community blight into benefit.

El Dorado Festivals & Events (501-c3) is investing in the Murphy Arts District, a year-round entertainment district in downtown El Dorado. Plans for the area feature a musical hall, amphitheater, restaurant and a children’s play area. El Dorado Festivals & Events also seeks to spend $32 million to renovate a 1920’s Rialto Theater, which will be reopened to include an art gallery, exhibition hall and artist-in-residence quarters. The grand opening is set for September of 2017.

Tulsa, OK

$30 Million creating new mixed-use retail space for the creative economy

Since the 1920’s the 72,000 square foot Archer Building has had a home within downtown Tulsa. The now abandoned building and its unique architectural elements are getting a face lift due to a grant from the George Kaiser Family Foundation. The Archer Building will turn into 35 artists’ studios, 14 apartments and retail space for 10 restaurants and retail businesses. Magic City Books, a book store with special rooms designated for community gatherings and clubs, will help anchor the ground floor.

Jeff Morton, President of the Board of Directors for the Brady Arts District Business Association states that the development is to breathe new life into the area, “our magic time is not over; it is right now and what is in the future.”

Oak Park Arts District visitors criticize the lack of visible art within the community. “Friends love the bars and the idea of restaurants coming on Harrison and Lombard…It’s all very cool, but the arts do seem to be lagging,” according to Oak Park Arts and Business Association Trustee, Bob Tucker.

The association plans on focusing its resources towards facilitating the efforts of local artists and businesses that contribute to creating a more artistically vibrant and attractive neighborhood.

The San Carlos Industrial Arts District is currently known as the home of several home and building supply businesses, but the area is changing to be more consumer facing.

Zoning laws are now allowing food and beverage establishments, such as Devil’s Canyon Brewing Company and the Domenico Winery, to open. Local businesses are excited about anything they can do to improve the area for pedestrians. They desire to transform the neighborhood from a drive-through zone to a destination.

Whether your business is going through an organizational change or focusing on employee performance, setting clear expectations and creating a feedback plan for managers can have a real impact on employee retention. According toThe National, six percent of Fortune 500 companies have already replaced traditional annual review performance rankings, primarily due to the need for more constant feedback, and the number is growing.

A Forbes article also makes the case that feedback is particularly important for millenial employees. "Many millennials have received adult feedback throughout their earlier years; they’ve often had close involvement from parents in their education and close support and encouragement from teachers and mentors at school. The contrast can be jarring when they arrive at their first professional position and suddenly have nobody who’s interested in telling them how they’re doing."

Executive coach Barry Goldberg recently had the opportunity to listen in on Arkansas' auditions for the New York Metropolitan Opera and noted some key takeways in Arkansas Business that managers can use when offering feedback to employees. For example:

“Here is what I wrote down…” Share specifics about what worked and what didn't. Be direct and fearless.

“What I think you should do is…” Offer clear recommendations. Show by example, if possible.

“I want to encourage you to…” Provide solid feedback about what is working.

“Please let me know how it is going…” Offer encouragement and create accountability.